Four former Boilermakers took the floor in Las Vegas in July to start their professional basketball careers. From Braden Smith's playmaking to Oscar Cluff's rebounding, here's how each Purdue standout performed in the NBA Summer League.
Purdue fans had plenty of reasons to stay up late watching basketball during the month of July. Four former Boilermakers suited up in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, which wrapped up on Sunday, July 19. Each played five games while chasing NBA and G League roster spots, and each gave the Purdue faithful something to cheer about. Here's how all four performed.
Braden Smith Runs the Show for the Hometown Pacers
No Boilermaker drew more attention in Sin City than Braden Smith. The Westfield native and NCAA all-time assists leader was selected 38th overall by the Chicago Bulls, then quickly traded to the Indiana Pacers, sparking a homecoming story almost too good to script.
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Smith's five games were a mixed bag, but his signature skill translated well. He averaged 6.8 points, 7.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, and orchestrated the Pacers' offense well in his first official taste of professional basketball, including 26 assists over his final three contests. As he settled into the pro pace, his jumpshots were not falling, shooting just over 27% from the field, but Smith naturally found other ways to control games, highlighted by a scoreless outing against the Toronto Raptors in which he dished nine assists, and a 16-point, five-assist effort in an overtime thriller loss against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Smith said his job was simply to put his teammates in positions to succeed, and Pacers General Manager Chad Buchanan has praised the way he impacts winning. Purdue fans should expect to see Braden Smith spend some time with the Noblesville Boom, the G League affiliate for the Pacers. He will undoubtedly stay ready for his opportunity to play with the Pacers once he is called up, in true Boilermaker fashion.
Trey Kaufman-Renn Brings Toughness to Minnesota
Taken 59th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Trey Kaufman-Renn played the way Purdue fans remember: physical, relentless, and efficient. Coming off the bench in all five games, the Sellersburg native averaged 6.6 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 57.9 percent from the floor, scoring in double figures twice.
If anyone has ever questioned his toughness, consider this: Kaufman-Renn took an elbow to the mouth in Minnesota's second game, needed three root canals afterwards, and played the very next game. His high motor and interior presence are NBA-ready, and he will certainly have an opportunity to earn a roster spot for the Timberwolves after their recent trades to dispose of two key players in their frontcourt in Julius Randle and Naz Reid.
Fletcher Loyer Stays Sharp from Deep for the Clippers
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Undrafted in June, Fletcher Loyer landed a Summer League opportunity with the Los Angeles Clippers and made the most of his limited minutes. Though he saw the least amount of playing time of the four Boilermakers, Loyer scored in all five games, averaging 7.0 points on 43.5% shooting while knocking down several three-pointers. The highlight of the Summer League for the Fort Wayne native was a pull-up triple in transition that sparked a 10-0 run for the Clippers in his debut.
Loyer's calling cards remain the same ones that made him a four-year starter at Purdue: elite shooting and a strong feel for the game. He'll need a strong training camp or G League showing to crack a roster, but his skillset is exactly what NBA teams look for in a specialist like him. There are a handful of guys every year that come onto the NBA scene with a skillset similar to Loyer's, so who is to say he isn't next?
Oscar Cluff Crashes the Glass for Houston
After going undrafted, big man Oscar Cluff joined the Houston Rockets and quickly carved out a role as their sixth man. The Australian center averaged 4.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game, pulling down at least nine boards in three of his five outings.
The most encouraging development was on defense, which was the biggest question mark on his game entering the summer. A trimmer-looking Cluff handled his assignments well and impacted games without needing to score. Fittingly, Houston was the only team featuring a Purdue player to reach the Summer League tournament round in Las Vegas, eventually falling to Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies in the semifinals.
What's Next for the Four Boilermakers?
Summer League is only the first step in the professional careers for these four men. Smith and Kaufman-Renn hold NBA draft pedigree with the Pacers and Timberwolves, respectively, while Loyer and Cluff will battle through training camps and the G League to prove they belong. At the very least, all four former Boilers have the potential to have successful careers playing professionally overseas. Whatever comes next, all four will carry the same trait that defined their time in West Lafayette: they make winning plays. The battle to make their mark in the NBA remains an uphill one, but that is nothing new for a Purdue Boilermaker, and there is no other way they would want it.